Screw-driving machines



Oct. 11, 1960 .w. T. PAT-rlsoN 2,955,630

' scREw-DRIVIM:V MACHINES Filed oct. 21, 1957 v e sheets-sheet 1 /NVNTR ATTRNE Y Oct. 11, l196() w. T. PAT-usonA 2,955,630

SCREW-DRIVING MACHINES Filed Oct. 21, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

l lg 5 |14 ATToR/vsy Oct. ll, 1960 w. T. PAT-rlsoN 2,955,630

scRmsr-DRWING MACHINES med oet. 21, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. l1, 1966 w.1. PATTlsoN SCREW-DRIVING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Gct. 21, 1957 ATTORNEH Oct. 11, 1960v w. T. PATTlsoN 2,955,630

SCREW-DRIVING MACHINES Filed Oct. 21, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 93 /O n /A/VENTOE @Y pas W v Oct. 11, 1960 Filed Oct. 21.,A 195'? W. T. PATTISON SCREW-DRIVING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 United Sete Paf-@m 2,955,630 scREw-DRIvlNG MACHINES Walter Trehearn Pattison, Redditch, England,assignor to The Russell Auto-Feed Screwdrivers Limited, Birmingham, England, a British company Filed oet. 21, 1951, ser. No. $91,296` f A1s claims. (ct-144.42)

, This invention relates to screw driving machines of the kind comprising a hopperfor containing a plurality of screws to be driven, a screw delivery nozzle, a rotary screw driving spindler assembled co-'axially therewith and movable axiallyy therein to engage with and drive screws delivered .to such nozzle, guide means leading` from the hopper to the nozzle .and ,a delivery control device assoelated with the guide means for regulating delivery of screws to the nozzle.

The present invention is concerned specifically with Y the guide means leading from the hopper to the nozzle andV withl the delivery control device for regulatingthe deliveryof screws to the nozzle. i

"Screw driving machines of the afore-.mentioned kindV have hitherto been constructed and adapted to operate in a satisfactory manner when used with screws whereof the overall Ilength isi appreciably greater than the diameter of the head, but such machines do` not invariably operate satisfactorily with Vdifficult screws.

The rst factor which renders a screw dificult is when its length is lsthan' twice the diameter of its head. The second factor ren-dering a screw difficult is when Athe centre of gravity of the screw lies within the head or at only a short distance down the shank so that vthe restoring forces acting to restore the screw toits proper position upon angular displacement therefrom aresmall. A third factor which renders a screw difficult is when the head of the screw has a height which approximates to its diameter so that the head room which 'must necessarily bel left in any guide pas-sagewayadapted to permit of the travel of the head with thev shank of the screw depending in a slot from the bottom of the passageway must necessarily be sufficiently great that it inherently permits of angular displacement of the head and hence of the whole screw in a vertical plane passing through the centre line of the guide slot.

In the case of some screws all these factors may be presen-t. r i

The general object of the vpresent invention is to ensure, so far as possible, the proper kdelivery of the screws along the guide means under the control of the delivery control device to the nozzle even though such screws may incorporate one or more of the physical characteristics referred to above, rendering them difficul In particular Ito further object of the invention is t0 provide an improved form of delivery control device.4

gers extending across the guide-slot from opposite edgesand spaced apart lengthwise thereof by a distance approxima/ting to the diameter of the screws to be fed, the free ends of these fingers being so positioned relatively to each other that as the arresting finger is withdrawn the escapement finger moves across the guide-slot, the screws previously barred by the arresting finger being free to travel towards fthe outlet of the guide-slot which movement is effected or permitted by a cam face at the trailing edge of the escapement finger while the leading edgeof this finger serves temporarily to prevent the onward passage of further screws along the guide slot.

Engagement of vthe shank of the screw at axially spaced positions by the escapement and arresting fingers in the operation of the escapement member inherently tends to impart angular displacement to the screws in a vertical plane passing through the centre of the guide-slot, and it is not always'possible completely to prevent the occurrence of such angular displacement merely by controlling closely the amount of head room in the passageway above the guide-slot. t

Specifically, therefore, one of the objects of the invention is to eliminate or reduce this inherent tendency to angular displacement by adoption of an improved "form of escapement device wherein the escapement member does not tend to impart such angular displacement or only does so rto a reduced extent.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide means whereby the amount of head room may be precisely controlled thereby providing a further safeguard against angular displacement of the screw in progression along the passageway above the guide-slot.

In the conventional construction and arrangement 0f escapment device above referred to the arresting finger of the escapement member has been arranged to be with drawn in a direction endwise of its length, and transversely of the length of the guide-slot, from an initial position which it occupies across the guide-slot in advancement of an enlargement thereof, such enlargement constituting an outlet in register with the upper end of Y the guide-means leading from the hopper to the nozzle.

In this operated or withdrawn position of the arresting finger the escapement finger moves from van initial position in which it does not overlap with any part of the guide-slot to an operated position in which it extends crosswise of the guide-slot to effect, by means of its cam face, advancement of its screw along vthe guide-slot.

`It will therefore be apparent that such screw must undergo a bodily displacement lengthwise of the guide slot equal at least to the radius of the shank diameter of the screw plus the radius of the enlargement whilst unsupported by the arresting finger, (assuming that at` the time at which the arresting finger is completely withdrawn the screw will occupy a position at the end ofthe guide-slot, but not within the enlargement), at this time its shank is engagedsolely by the escapement finger.

Since during the subsequent movement of the screw lengthwise of the guide-slot the support afforded by the marginal portions of the chute member will be discontinued (because the screw is moving into the enlargement) there will, at this particular time, be a much greater risk of angular displacement of the screw in a vertical plane so that there is considerable danger that it will be angularly displaced and become jammed in the upper part of the guide means beneath the chute member.

A further speciiic object of the present invention is to avoid or reduce this possibility, in particular by the provision of an arresting finger adapted and arranged to provide better support for the screw during its passage into the enlargement, and by contriving release of such support at a later stage than has hitherto been the case supported by the arresting finger is materially reduced.

machines of the kind herein referred to, the hopper is in.

the form of a circular flanged tray which is assembled about an input spindle of the machine arranged co-axially with the screw driving spindle and is connected thereto by a torque limiting clutch. The whole of this assembly, which also includes the upper part of the guide means, leads `from an outlet in the hopper which is movable verti# cally relatively to the nozzle assembly which includes a lower part of the guide means. Relative vertical movement between the upper and lower parts of the guide means takes place between each screw driving operation and serves to bringV a portion of the upper part of the guide means (normally termed the deflection tube) into the mouth of the upper portion of the lower part of the guide means' (normally termed the delivery tube) at which time the screw is transferred from the upper part to the lower part thereof.

To effect or promote movement of the screws in the hopper towards the outlet thereof the hopper is caused to move bodily in a circular path so that its centre travels around the axis of the input spindle without the hopper itself actually rotating about its own centre. In consequence the deflection tube traces out a conical surface the apex beingtat the lower end and co-incident with the centre of the mouth of the delivery tube.

It is thus necessary forthe deflection tube at its upper end to be connected to the next succeeding upper part of the guide means by a joint which permits of this movement in a conical surface of the deflection tube and hitherto the joint has comprised a frusto conical or trumpet shaped portion at the upper end of the deflection tube which is retained in overlapped relation with the next succeeding upper part of the guide means, this being in the form of a tube projecting into the frustoconical or trumpet-shaped mouth.

This construction is satisfactory for screws of overall length appreciably greater than the diameter of the head; it is not so satisfactory for difficult screws.

The enlargement of the cross section of the passageway which is afforded by the frusto-conical or trumpet-shaped part of the deflection tube is sufiicient to allow such screws to become displaced angularly so that their axes are no longer co-incident, or substantially co-incident, with the axis"o`f` the passageway formed by the deflection tube and the next succeeding upper part of the guidemeans, and's'uch screws'sometimes become jammed transversely or even inverted.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a joint of new or improved construction between the deflection tube or lower guide member and the next succeeding upper portion of the guide means or upper guide member, which joint will permit of the tracing out of a conical path by the deflection tube or lower guide member, such as is necessary during operation of the machine, without affording such extensive lateral enlargement of the passageway internally as will permit screws to become jammed or inverted, even though such screws may be rendered difficult by incorporation of another of the factors previously referred to.

The invention further concerns the part of the guide means disposed immediately below the hopper or upper guide member as referred toein the preceding paragraph.

In the known construction of machine previously referred to this upper guide member has comprised a tube comprising a tubular portion of part circular form occupying more than 180, the free edges of this tubular portion having extending therefrom a pair of spaced parallel plates between which a filler member, herein termed a baflle member, is mounted. The form and mounting of the baille member has hitherto been such as to permit of the adjustment of the baflle member between the plates for the purpose of varying the effective cross sectional dimensions of the passageway afforded by the tubular portin, but the inwardly presented face of the baffle member has not conformed to the cross sectional shape internally of the tubular portion. The resulting lateral enlargement of the passageway which will exist coincident with the margins of the baffle member involves the risk of screws passing down the passag'evia'yv becoming jammed, or inverted, on approachingI the joint between the deflection tube and the uppe guide 'm'e'rb'eiV A Yfurther object of'rthe inventionis to'avoid or reduce' this possibility.

A specific embodi'rn'ehfof theVi inventionl will nowv be described by yway'ofexample withfreferencey to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 s a perspet'iveviewofi one'construction of screw driving machine in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation and in diametral cross section ofthe same construction.

,Figure 3' is a'fragrnentaryfview of' thef underside of the hopper, certain parts ofthe delivery control device having been removedto illustratev the position of an assembled ardrer'novble slip'v platffl contollig' lthe head room in thep'assag'ewayabove a'; chute member incorporated in thej deliveryl co'n't'rolY device.

Figui-e' 4" is' a` fragmentary view' in'v side elevation and cross section o'n' the' line 4-4 Figure 3'.

Figure Sis a fragmentary view in cross section on the line` 5 5 Figure 4'.

EgiirefSa i's al top, planvi'ew` oftlie'chute plate;-

Figure' 6' is a fragmentary view in side elevation illustrating the upper part .of the guide means. comprising the deflection tube, upper guide member and associated delivery .control device.

Figure 7 is a. fragmentary plan view of the delivery control device removed'fom the underside ofthe hopper.

Figure 8v isv a view similar'toFigure y6 but in vertical cross section on the centre line ofthe passageway afforded bythefuppe'r part of the guide means.

Figure. 9 is a fragmentary view` of the baflle looking from, the arrow Ain Figure, 8f

FigureY lfs a vie MOftheballle member looking in the directionofth'e'arrow B ofFigire 8, its relationship with the tubular portion of the upper guide member being indicatedlinchain lines. y

Figure 11 isa viewv ofthe delivery control device on an enlarged scalein comparison withFigure 2 and in vertical cross section through the centre of the guide slot afforded by-suchdevic'e. l

vFigure 12. isa plan view of` themachineY showing the slot' in the base of thevhopper, and

Figure 13 is a view similar tofFigure 7 showing the escapement member in a position intermediate the extremities of its range ofposcillation, and a screw engaged between the arresting finger and the escapement finger elements in transit between the parallel sided part of the guideslot and the enlargement thereof at the end from which sc rews are ultimately released-for delivery to the nozzle assembly of the machine.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and `2. which illustrate the screw driving: machine as; a= whole. This comprises a delivery nozzle assembly 10 affordingl adownwardly extending4 bore 11 for the passage of screws therethrough point first. A screw driving spindle 12 ,rotatably in the bore 11 co-axially thereof and also'movable axially of the bore. The screw driving spindle 12 is provided with a screw driving bit 13v and is driven byl'means of an input spindle 14 through the intermediary of a torque limiting clutch and indicated generallyy at 15, thel operation of which is moreffully described in-my: co-pendingapplica'- tion No.,691,353 ;entitled Improvements relatingto screw driving machines tiled' upon the? same date, asv thel present application andato whichtreferencefmaybefhad for thet details of construction and-.manner:'of, operation) of`4 the:

torque limitingclutch;

fvefiien'tly in the form fof acircular peripherally flanged 'Ltrayencirclingthefinput` spindle j 14 and having a spirally arranged slot 217 inits base; leading tothe inlet of a 'deliv- Leny A:control device 18. tlremature delivery of screws from the lower or discharge end of the.nozzle;11 is pre- '.ventedby. outwardly displaceablebut'tinwardly urged jaws tllaprovide'dat their ilowerendsgwith inwardly .projecting abutmentszllibffor. engagingbeneath; the; head of ascrew disposed 4ini the nozzle i311 ready forrdriving-Lin:I but .prior fto'engagernentby thescrew'driyingtbit.

`i'hetnozzleassemblytlisraiapted to -be retained against -rotationrrelatively tothe `Wspindl`esn12 and-14 lby `a guide 'postl silidablypassing throughfa-guideplate 20 carrying la radially) projecting `arm `21 which Jwill,"` in `operation of y'fthe f'maohine,`y` befxbroughtlfinto .engagement with -the Npillar or upstanding--post^of adrilling -r`nachine-with -which the screwdrivingmachinelis; intendedtobe used. The hop- 1per16infanchored'bymeans offa laterallyv projecting arm i122 to the arm121.

'SScrews are delivered V1from thelhopper'lt` to' thenozzle assembly IUQby-la-guide means comprising an upper part indicated generally at 33 terminating in-a deflection tube 34 adapted to be brought into engagement with a lower part Aof the guide means indicated generally at 3S during .lahscrew Vdriving. operation involving axial 'movement of ythe'svarew driving-spindle*downward along the bore 11, in order to deliver a screw into the lower part 35 of the guide rneansready for the next screw driving operation. l'Concurrently with this Vstage in the operation of the `*machine the delivery control device V18 is operated ,byV Lrmeans -ofe'a driving lever 36, the lower end of which is '-hrought intocontact with a stop or platform 37 on the Ilvowerpart of the -guideemeans so that a single screw descends the passageway -atforded by the upper and lower parts'ofthe guide rmeans during each screw driving opera- Vtion and is ythus ready'to be engaged by the bit 13 of `the -spindlerduring the `subsequent screw driving operation.

VPfcertain number of the screws placed in a loose mass inthe hopper will take up a position in the slot 17, their `Shanks extending downward through thisslot and their litheads resting on the margins of the hopper base bordering on the edges of the slot.

An eccentric circular motion is impartedhto the hopper lwhichI is retained against rotat'ion'fabout'its own axis v by'meanslof the arms 21 and 22,

andthis causes acircular sifting motion to be imparted to. the screws in a direction indicated by the arrow (Figure 1112). VThe eccentric ,circular motion is produced bya --bushing SiS-keyed to the input spindle 14 and mounted in #the bore of a b oss'39 formed integrally in the base of the ehopper. "Ifhe boss `39 rests on a radially extending ange '4101-at the lower end -of the eccentric bushing 38 and is retained against upward displacement by a washer plate 102 and internally threaded `ring 103 screwing on to the portion 104 ofthe spindle14.` The spindle 14fwill normally be rotated `clockwise .'(when driving `screws having right-hand threads.) and icircular sifting Y motion'` previously mentioned. During part of each eccentricrevolution of the hopper this rela- Vtivernotion will tend to advance the screws along the slot ,n 17 in the directionof the arrow. At this time the screws tend to be movedaway from the trailingor blind end'105 4ofthe ,slot 17 .toward the other end at which the delivery control device'is situated, there being an outlet to the slot atpthis last' mentioned end so that the screws do in fact progress along the slot in this direction. Further screws will enter `the Vslota djacentto the blind end 105 under ltheiniiuenceoff gravity to llthe .vacant yspace left at this tand of the slot in consequence of advancement of the;

tscrews. During afurther part pf; the-,eccentric motion of thehopper when the screws inthe slot would tendzto b e moved backwardly toward the blind end the latterandthe .additional screws which. have filled the vacant spaces positively 4prevent reversedv movement ofthe screws along the slot, `so `.that it will belapparentathatthe overall motion of thescrewsi is .one yof.advancement -in `the-direction ofthe arrow. .L

.Thusfar described. thetmachineis .of .conventionalonisttuctiqngandA thefforegoing generalrdesription ,is intended to assist a proper ...understanding .of lthe improvements forming the sub1' etoffthefnvgntan hereinafter, described in greater detail. t

:Referring. narticularly.tof therdelivervgntrol Vdevice as fi11ustr at.ed..in:F.igu r-.es i3 to? ofthe drawings the ASlot 17 `in the basepf thephopper 1,6 -is of suchiyidth that the `Shanks of Ascrews Vcan Vlependwthrorugh this slot whilst .their heads.. aretsupportedfby :the .marginal portions, of the .hopper lbase Vbordering onsuchslot Lhopper base, the. ends of thischute plate including two at- `ta'chment portions 42 and 43, which are horizontal and vertical respectively and .aresecured to the hopper base and to a downwardkprojectionf44.at the underside of the base respectively bymeans of screws45 and 46, `shown in chain lines in -Figure 4.andentering tapped holes in the base of the hopper. andy in the projection 44. Y The chute plate .41 is formed with a guide-slot :.4

.[Figuije 5) which is. afcontinuation of the slot 17 yand tcrews such .as that indicated in broken lines at 48 (Figure fl) can thus pass in a single le down the guide-slot 47 v'with their heads supported by the margins thereof border- .ing on the slot andtheir Shanks depending in a down- .wardly inclining manner as illustrated.

In combination with the chute plate 41 is provided `a -top wall member of predetermined thickness and cross sectional shape herein referred to as a slip plate and indicated at 49. The chute plate 40, particularly the downl wardly inclining portion thereof 41, in combination with the plate.49, dene a guide passageway 50 for kthe heads 51 of screws such as the screw 48. iThe height of .this passageway, that is to say head room or spacing between the upper surface of thel portion 41 of the chute plate -and the under surface of the slip plate 49, being such. as

to allow the screws to move freely down this passageway whilst preventing them from turning angularly in a Vertical plane passing through the axes of the Shanks of the screws.

With certain types of screws, hereinbefore referredto as diicult screws there is inherently little or no restoring force (apart from that afforded by engagement of the screw head with the plate 49 and portion-41 of the chute plate) to such angular deflection because the centre of gravity of the screws may lie within the head or only just below the head. Further, the head. itself may be high relatively to its diameter so that any appreciable clearance between the top face of the head of the screw and n the underface of the plate 49Y w.ould allow the head to turn in the passageway 50 about a horizontal axis transverse to the length of the passageway.

ln accordance with one feature of the invention the plate 49 is made 'as a structurally separate part which can readily be Vremoved from assembly with the other members of the structure defining the passageway `50, and replaced by another plate having a different thickness or Vdifferent shape of underface 52, as seen .in transverse cross section, affording only just..sucient`.clearance with respectto the screw'headstoallow these to-movetireely down the passageway 50, but not sufficient clearance to permit of unwanted angular defiection in the manner described. Conveniently thelateral edges v53 of the plate 49V are inclined so that, as a whole, it is of trapezoidal cross section and is received in a dove-tailed groove at the underside of the projection 44 of the base of the hopper.

The plate 49 is slidably engaged in the groove, and can be removed and replaced as required. It is preferred that the portionk of the slip plate nearest its upper end shall be slightly wider than the remainder so as to be retained frictionally in the groove during the operation of the machine. A

The underface 52 .of the plate 49 conforms in cross sectional shape `to the top face of the screws, the form illustrated being applicable to screws having generally cylindrical heads, but it will be understood that it may be varied as required so as to afford an underface of part circular or other arcuate shape in transverse cross section, for example when the machine is required to be used with screws the heads of which are of domed form.

The feed control device further comprises an escapemen-t device operating in combination with the structure defining the guide passageway 50.

It will be convenient to refer firstly to the upper part of the guide means disposed immediately beneath the chute plate for receiving screws upon discharge from the outlet of the chute plate. The upper part of the guide means (Figures 6 to l0) comprises a tube including a tubularV portion 54 and a pair of spaced parallel plates S, these parts at their upper ends being fixed in any suitable manner, for example by welding or soldering to a fiange plate` 56, all these parts conveniently being made as sheet metal pressings, for example of mild steel.

At one end the flange plate 56 is bent upwardly as indicated at 57 and then parallel again to its main portion as indicated at 58 and finally upwardly again at 59, the

vportion 59 being formed with a screw hole to enable it to be secured to the projection 44 by means of the same screws 46 as retain the chute plate. At its opposite end the fiange plate 56 includes a horizontal attachment portion 60 having screw holes for the passage therethrough of the screws 45.

- diameter equal to the internal diameter of the tube 54 so that effectively the aperture 1afforded by the enlargement is of the same diameter -as the internal diameter of the tube.

In association with the portion 41 of the chute plate is an escapement member 63 having upper and lower escapement finger elements 64 and 65 and an arresting finger 66, this escapement member being pivotally mounted for oscillation on a bolt 67 extending through the doubled over portion 58 of the fiange plate, a suitable washeror distance piece 68 being disposed between the portion 58 of the fiange plate and the underlying portion thereof.

The upper escapement finger element 64 is disposed and operates above the fiange plate 56 and beneath the inclined portion 4l of the chute plate, whilst the lower escapement finger element 65 is disposed and operates below the flange plate 56 through apertures such as that seen at 69 in the plates 55.

The provision of upper and lower escapement finger elements ensures that the Shanks of screws such as the screw 48 disposed in the passageway 50 are engaged at two axially spaced positions on their Shanks by the cam faces constituted by the trailing edges of the escapementV 'finger elementssuch as that indicated at 70. The'first of these positions of engagement is situated 'immediately adjacent to the under face of the head S1 of the screw and the other position of engagementat'some distance Vdown the shank.

Varresting finger is effective to guide against the possibility of angular deflection of the screw in a vertical Vplane whilst this is .being moved down the guide-slot and passageway under the action of the cam faces 70 at the trailing edges of the escapement finger elements.

Conveniently the lower escapement finger element is formed as a part which is structurally separate from the remainder of the escapement member 63. The escapement finger element 65 may be secured in position by means of screws 74 entering tapped holes in the element 65 which is spaced from the parting finger element 64 by a distance piece 75.

-Hitherto only a single escapement finger has been employed `and consequently the three point engagement which contributes to the angular stability of the screws has been lacking.

A further feature of the construction is that the arresting finger 66 is appreciably wider relatively to the transv-erse dimensions ofthe guide-slot 47 and enlargement 61 thereof, than has hitherto been the case, and instead of occupying a position across the guide-slot adjacent to the enlargement 61 the arresting finger is disposed in overlapped arrangement with 4the enlargement preferably adjacent to the guide-slot 47. v

By making the arresting finger 66 of this width the end edge 73 is appreciably longer than usual and this ensures that, as the finger is withdrawn arcuately in a direction generally transverse to the length of the guide-slot 47, the support afforded to the underface of a screw head by the marginal portion of the finger element 66 bordering on the edge 73, is continued for a longer period of time than usual.

Initially the screw is engaged at its shank by the arresting edge 71, and the under tface of the head receives support from the marginal portion bordering on this edge, but, during withdrawal movement of the arresting finger element, this support is withdrawn and replaced by support from the marginal portion of the arresting finger bordering on the end edge 73. This change takes place whilst the screw is actually moving into the enlargement 61.

Thus, even when the arresting finger element is withdrawn so that the margin bordering on the end edge 73 occupies the lateral margin of the enlargement 61, some support is still afforded to the screw immediately prior to its descent of the passageway of the tubular portion 54. In effect the screw does not have to undergo any translatory movement within the passageway 50 including the enlargement 61 without being supported in some way by Y the combination of escapement and arresting finger elecillate in a vertical plane by virtue of its pivotal mounting on a screw 77 secured to a dependent channel section lug 78 of the flange plate 56. The upper end 79 of the driving lever is engaged between a displaceable relieflever S0 and an edge portion 81 of the escapement member. 1

'The driving lever 36 is caused to rotate inta' clockwise direction as seen in Figure V6 when its lower end 106 is brought into contact with the upwardly presented stop or platform 37. This occurs whenever the machine as a whole is lowered by downward feed movement of the spindle of the drill press, in which the spindle 14 is carried, and is effected by the operator for the purpose of applying a screw temporarily held by the abutments 11b of the nozzle 11 to the work into which it is to be driven. The nozzle 111 engages the work and is' thus restrained against further downward displacement, but the screwdriving spindle 12 moves down the bore of the nozzle by virtue of the continued'downward bodily displacement of the assembly comprising the driving spindle 14, the hopper 16, and the delivery. control device 18. It is Vthis operation which brings the end 106 of the driving lever 36 into contact with the stop or platform portion 37, whereby the driving lever imparts the requisite movement to the escapement member to cause a screw to be moved into the enlargement 61 and then discharged down the guide means 33, 34, and 35 so as to reach a position alongside the screwdriving spindle 12 which will, at this time, be blocking the lower end of the .guidemeans 35. It will be evident, therefore, thatupon raising of the drill press spindle and retraction of the screwdriving spindle to the position illustrated in Figure 2, this screw can descend gravitationally into the nozzle 11 to be retained by the abutments .11b ready for the next screwdriving operation.

The purpose of the relief lever 80 is to prevent damage to the escapement member and tothe parts of the delivery control device 18 through application to the escapement member of the relatively strong defiecting force which will be exerted thereon by the driving lever 36 in the event of angular movement of the escapement member being obstructed in moving .from its initial position (as seen in Figure 7) towards an operated position (as seen in Figure 13 ,for example if the leading ends of the escapement iinger elements should happen toengage the shank of a screw exactly at the end of a diameter through the shank 'of the screw or if the screw should for any cause have become jammed in the passage 50 (Figure 5).

r[The relief lever 80 is pivotally mounted on the bolt 67 and is normally held with an abutment face constituted by its edge 82 in contact with a portion of the edge 81 of the escapement member by means of a tension spring 83. If, however, the escapement member encounters positive obstruction in moving from its initial position (as seen in Figure 7) towards an operated position (as seen in Figure -13) in which the escapement linger elements extend cros'swise of the guide-slot `47, then the relief lever can turn on the bolt 67, the edges 82 and -81 separating from each other and the spring 83 being extended.

Referring now more particularly to the upper part of lthe guide means indicated by the general reference 33 this upper part comprises the tube incorporating the tubular portion S4 and plates 55 previously referred to constituting an upper guide member and also a lower guidemember in the form of the deflection tube 34.

For the purpose of the following description reference is had particularly to Figure 8 in which the tubular portion 54 and the decction tube 34 are shown in vertical section.

The deflection tube 34 is formed of a short length of tube, the internal diameter of which for nearly its whole length (except for a short portion at the upper end) is of a diameter equal to that of the tubular portion 54 internally and constitutes a continuation of the passageway afforded bythe portion 54.

At its upper end the deflection tube 34 is formed with a head part 76 solthat as a whole the deflection tube is of somewhat mushroom shape.

l The upwardly presented face of the head part 76 as seen particularly in Figure 8 comprisesya narrow annular inner portion 84 having a radial width, which typically may be about IAG", and an outer portion which may bei of frusto-conical form, so that as a whole the upper face is of'generally domed form.

Opposed to the face portion 84 is the lower end face ofthe tubular portion 54 which is constituted partly by aflange plate 86 and secured to the lower end ofthe portion 54 and partly by the lower end face of the portion '54 itself, which 'is flush with the lower face of the flange plate 86. t

Theplane in which the lower face of the liange plate 86 and the face portion 84 lies is perpendicular to the axis of the dellection tube 34 and oblique to the axis of the tubular portion 54, so that the mouth of the passageway afforded by the portion 54 is of elliptical or approximately elliptical form. The mouth of the passageway afforded by the deflection tube 34 at its upper end is of circular form and of enlarged diameter equal or approximately equal to the length of the major axis of the elliptical or approximately elliptical mouth of the portion 54, and is connected with the remainder of the deflection tube by Ialared or bell-mouthed portion whereby no upwardly presented abutment or obstruction is presented internally ofthe assembly. Y

`When angular movement of the deflection tube takes place (its a'xis tracing out a frusto conical surface) the deflection tube will tilt relatively to the tubular portion 54 about ahorizontal'axis which is a tangent to the outer edge of the annular face portion 84, this axis being close to the boundaries of the two mouths afforded by the passageways through the portion 54 and detection tube 34 at their adjacent contacting ends, so that the deection tube 3-4 and tubular portion 54 which respectively constitute lower and upper guide means are subjected to a collective gyration at their adjacent coupled ends, axes of their respective passageways being oblique to one another. vThe proximity of the axis about 'which such'tilting takes place to the mouths of the passageways avoids presenting any unduly wide crescent-shaped opening in the passageway as a whole. Thus the risk of therebeing so Vextensive an enlargement of the passage- Way as will permit screws descending the passageway to become inverted or jammed crosswise of the passageway is materially reduced.

To maintain the two mouths in register with each other the ange plate 86 is threaded peripherally and an internally threaded sleeve 87 screws onto this flange plate, the sleeve at its lower end having an inturned rim or flange 88.

The head part 76 has a close sliding tit in the interior of the sleeve 87 which contains a coiled compression spring 89, preferably of frusto-conical form, and bearing against the end faceo-f the head part 76 and against the liange or rim 88 to maintain the face portion 84 in contact with the end face of the tubular portion 54.

It will be observed that the tubular portion 54 affords an open side between the plates 55, and this open side is closed for nearly the whole of its length by a filler or bafe member 90.

Only ashort gap or clearance space as indicated at 91 is left between the upper end of the baffle mem-ber and the flange plate 56, sufficient to allow the lowerends of the shanks of screws such as 48 to pass with clearance into alignment with the upper end yof thepassageway afforded by the tubular portion 54.

, It is an advantageous featurel of thebafe member V thatv the upper face 92thereof is inclined, with respect tothe path of movement of screws, such vas 48,-so that should the lower end of any particular screw (due for example to the shank being somewhat longerthan-the nominal length as a'manufacturing-tolerance) comefijn'to, contact =with the face 92 it will bedeflectedfl-in atralingmanner and will pass over -the peakf lat theninner-end of this face, and will afterwards berestored toa-position Referring now particularly to` Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10.v

in which its axis is parallel to that of the passageway through the portion 54.

As seen particularly in Figure l0, the baille member 90-has inwardly presented face 93 which is of part circular cross section and is substantially equal in radius of curvature to the internal cur-vature of the portion 54 indicated in chain lines in Figure 10.

The face 92 may also be of part circular or other arcuate cross section to minimize lateral deflection Vof any screws brought into contact therewith.

The baille member 90 is preferably formed as a solid metal block. Mild steel may be utilised for this purpose or alternatively hard steel or other hard metal, in which case the faces 92 and 93 may be ground to the desired contour.

The baille member is located between the plates 55 as to the radial position which it occupi, `and as to the angular position which it occupies, in the plane parallel to the plates 55 by abutment means, preferably in the form of a transverse locating plate 94 secured to the baille member in any suitable manner as for example by welding or brazing.

The inwardly presented shoulders 94a of this plate are adapted to engage with the edges of the plates 55 to provide the required radial and angular location Vfor the baille member.

The baflle member is retained in position by providing in it a tapped hole 95 which is provided with a clamping screw 96 (Figure 6) having an operating knob which is knurled to facilitate gripping, the clamping screw passing without clearance through a hole in one or both plates 55 in alignment with the tapped hole 95 so that it does not permit of any positional adjustment of the bafe member.

At its lower end the bale member is pivotally mounted between the plates 55 by means of a pivot pin 97 which may have a tight lit in the baille member and which can pivot in circular holes in the plates 55 so as to be movable, upon removal of the clamping screw 96, to an open position in which it is swung laterally outwardly about the axis of the pin 97. This exposes the passageway of t-he tubular portion 54 and permits of the ready extraction of, or restoration to proper positioning of, any screw which has become jammed in this passageway.

At its lower end the baille member incorporates an integral lug 98, Figure 8, which lits in an aperture in the llange plate 86 and facilitates the rectilication, lor release, of any screw which may becomey jammed at the junction between the deilection tube and tubular portion 54, despite the reduced possibility of such an occurrence arising by virtue of the novel form of the head part 76.

It will be understood that baille members 90 of different widths (measured in a direction radial to the axis of the passageway through the portion 54), may be provided. This ena-bles the effective diameter of this passageway to be changed by replacement of one baflle member by another of a different width Vselected in accordance with the diameter of the heads of the screws to be used. Preferably the departure of the inwardly presented face 93 of the baille member from truly cylindrical continuation the inner face of the portion 54 will be slight thereby minimizing departure from truly circular form of the passageway as a whole.

, The improvements herein described contribute ellectively to the reliable and consistent delivery of screws from the -hopper to the upper end of the delivery tube 35 forming the lower part of the guide means.

' The machine is thus adapted for reliable operation not only with normal screws but also Wtih diilicult screws .having the characteristics previously referred to.

` What-I claim then is:

l.` lIna*screw-driving machine of the kind comprising 'a' hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven,

a screw delivery nozzle, a rotary screw-driving spindle assembled co-axially therewith and movable axially therein to engage with and drive screws delivered to such nozzle, and guide means 4for the screws leading from the hopper to the nozzle, the provision of a delivery control device associated with the guide means for regulating the delivery of screws to the nozzle, and comprising a downwardly inclined chute member having a guide slot through which the Shanks of screws can depend while the underfaces of their heads are supported by the margins of the chute member bordering on this guide slot, and having an outlet from said guide slot at one end thereof, and an escapement device comprising an arresting linger and an escapement finger spaced apart lengthwise of the guide slot, the escapement linger having at its trailing edge a cam face for promoting feed movement of a released screw towards the outlet, the cam face including a part disposed below the chute member, thereby to engage a screw shank at two positions spaced from the screw head, and provide in combination with the arresting linger positive control of the angular position of the so-engaged screw in a vertical plane through the axis of the shank.

2. In a screw-driving machine of the kind comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven, a screw delivery nozzle, 'a rotary screw-driving spindle assembled co-axially therewith and movable axially therein to engage with and drive Screws delivered to such nozzle, and guide means for the screws leading from the hopper to the nozzle, comprising a tube having at its.

upper end an outwardly projecting flange, the provision of a delivery control device associated with the tube for regulating the delivery of screws through it to the nozzle, and comprising a downwardly inclined chute member mounted in spaced generally parallel relation with the tube ilange and above such ilange, the chute member having a guide slot through which the Shanks of screws can depend while the underfaces of ltheir heads are supported by the margins of the chute member bordering on this guide slot and having an outlet from said guide-slot, at one end thereof, and an escapement device comprising an arresting linger and an escapement linger spaced apart lengthwise of the guide-slot, the escapement linger comprising a pair of spaced parallel linger elements, of which the upper is disposed between the chute member and the tube flange, and of which the lower is disposed below the tu'be llange, the tube having an opening below the llange through which the last said linger element extends, the linger elements each having a cam face disposed in intersecting relation, as viewed in plan, with the guideslot and movable crosswise and lengthwise thereof towards the outlet, in the movement of the linger elements, so that the finger elements are thereby adapted to engage a screw shank at two positions spaced from the screw head, and provide in combination with the arresting linger positive control of angular position of the soenglged screw in a vertical plane through the axis of the s a 3. In a screw-driving machine of the kind comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven, a screw delivery nozzle, a rotary screw-driving spindle assembled co-axially therewith and movable axially therein to engage with and drive screws delivered to such nozzle, and guide means for the screws leading from the hopper to the nozzle, the provision of a delivery control device associated with the guide means for regulating the delivery of screws to the nozzle, and comprising a downwardly inclined chute member having a guide-slot through which the shanks of screws can depend while the underfaces of their heads are supported by the margins of the chute member bordering on this guide-slot, and having an outlet from said guide-slot at one end thereof of enlarged form relatively to the guide-slot, and an escapement device comprising an arresting linger mounted for movement in a path overlapping with the outlet, as

viewed in plan, and an escapement finger spacedtapart-` lengthwise of the guide-slot, the escapement finger having at its trailing edge a cam face for promoting feed movement of a released screw towards the outlet whereby each screw is moved into the outlet while still receiving support from the yarresting finger.

`4. In ascrew-driving machine of the kind comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven, a screw delivery nozzle, a rotary screw-driving spindle assembled co-axially therewith and movablel axially therein to engage with and drive screws delivered to suchnozzle, and guide means for the screws leading from the hopper to thenozzle, the provision of a delivery control device associated with the guide means for regulating the delivery ofscrews to the nozzle, and comprising a downwardly inclined chute member having a guide slot through which the Shanks of screws can depend while the underfaces of their heads are supported by the margins of the chute member bordering on this guide-slot, and having an outlet from said guide-slot at one end thereof, of enlarged forni relatively to the guide-slot and an escapement device comprising an escapement memberV adapted to be moved back and forth cross-wise of the guide-slot, as viewed in plan, and including an arresting finger and an escapement finger spaced apart lengthwise of the guide-slot, the escapement linger moving across the guideslot in advance of the outlet and the arresting finger moving across the outlet itself in a direction crosswise 'of the guide-slot, and having an end edge of a -lengthsuch that a marginal portion of the arresting nger bordering this edge is situated in overlapping relation with a lateral margin of the outlet when the escapement finger is disposed with its trailing edge across the guide-slot adjacent to the outlet, whereby each screw is moved i-nto the out,.- let while still receiving support from said marginal portion of the arresting finger.

5. In a screw-driving machine of the kind comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven, a screw delivery nozzle, a screw-driving spindle assembled co-axially therewith and movable axially therein to engage with and drive screws delivered Vto such nozzle, and guide means for the screws leading from the hopper to the nozzle, comprising a tube having at its upper end an outwardly projecting flange, the provision of a delivery control device associated with the tube for regulating the delivery of screws through it to the nozzle and comprising a downwardly inclined chute member, mounted in spaced generally parallel relation `with the tube flange and above such flange, the chute member having a guide-slot through which the shanks of screws ,can depend while the underfaces of their heads are sup-ported by the margins of the chute member bordering on this guide-slot, the chute member further having an outlet from said guide-slot at one end thereof of enlarged form relatively to the guide-slot, and an escapement dew'ce comprising an escapement member adapted to be moved back and forth crosswise of the guide-slot, as viewed -in plan, and including a-n arresting finger and an escapement finger spaced apart lengthwise of the guide-slot, the escapement finger comprising a pair of spaced parallel finger elements, of which the upper is disposed between the chute member'and the tube iiange, and of which the lower-is 'disposed below the tube flange, the tube having an opening below the flange through which the last said finger element extends, their finger elements each having at the trailing edges a respective cam face disposed in intersecting relation, as viewed in plan, with the guideslot and movable crosswise and lengthwise thereof towards the outlet in the movement of the finger elements, and the arresting finger moving across the outlet itself ina direction crosswise of the guide-slot, the end -being of a length such that a marginal portion bordering on the free end of the arresting finger is situated in overlapping relation with a lateral margin of the outlet when the gesamt,

6. In a screw-driving machine of the kind comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven,

a screw delivery nozzle, a rotary screw-driving spindle assembled co-aXially therewith and movable axially there- 'in to engage with and drive screws delivered to such nozzle, and guide means for the screws leading from the hopper to the nozzle, the provision of a delivery control device associated with the guide means and comprising a downwardly inclined chute member having a guide-slot through which the Shanks of screws can dependlwhile the underfaces of their heads are supported by the margins of the chute member bordering on this guide-slot, and having an outlet from said guide-slot at one end thereof, an upper wall disposed above and parallel with the chute member .and comprising top wall member of predetermined thickness and cross-sectional shape defining in conjunction with the chute member a passageway of a height and cross-sectional shape conforming to the equivalent dimensional characteristics of a particular size and type of screw head, the top wall member being mounted removably to permit of its replacement by another top Wall member of different thickness or cross-sectional shape, and an escapement device adapted to regulate the advancement of screws along the passageway and their delivery from the outlet.

v 7. In a screw-driving machine of the kind comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven, a screw delivery nozzle, a rotary'screw-driving spindle assembled co-aXially therewith and movable aX- ially therein to engage with and drive screws delivered to such nozzle, and guide means for the screws leading from the hopper to the nozzle, the provision o-f a delivery control device associated with the guide means and comprising a downwardly inclined chute member having a guide-slot through which the shanks of screws can depend while the underfaces of their heads are supported by the margins of the chute member bordering on the guide-slot, and having an outlet from said guide-slot at one end thereof, an upper wall disposed above land parallel with the chute member and comprising a plate of predetermined thickness and cross-sectional shape defining in conjunction with the chute member a passageway of a height and cross-sectional shape conforming to the equivalent dimensional characteristics of a particular size and type of screw head, the plate being slidably mounted in a Vguideway of undercut shape in cross-section in the base of the hopper to permit of its replacement by another plate of different thickness or cross-sectional shape, and an escapement device adapted to regulate the advancement of screws along the passageway and their delivery from the outlet.

8. In a screw-driving machine of the kind comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven, a screw delivery nozzle, a rotary screw-driving spindle lassembled co-axially therewith and movable axially therein to engage with and drive screws delivered to such nozzle, the provision of guide means leading from the hopper to the spindle, said guide means including an upper guide member mounted below the hopper, the latter having an outlet in register with the upper end of the upper guide member, the guide member comprising fa tubular portion of part circular form internally in transverse cross-section and spaced generally parallel plates connected to the extremities of the tubular portion, and a baiiie member disposed between said plates and having an inwardly presented face of substantially the same curvature in transverse cross-section Aas that of the tubular portion, and

. abutment means on the baffle member engaging on abutment lfaces on the plates thereby `to locate positively the bailie member, firstly as to angular position between and in a'plane parallel tothe plane of the plates, and

secondly as to position in a direction radial to thefafxis 9. In a screw-driving machine of the kind comprising.

a hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven, a screw delivery nozzle, a rotary screw-driving Vspindle assembled co-axially therewith a-nd movable axially therein to engage with and drive screws delivered to such nozzle, the provision of guide means leading from the hopper to the spindle, said guide means including an upper guide member mounted below the hopper, the latter having an outlet in register with the upper end of the upper guide member, the guide member comprising a tubular portion of part circular form internally in transverse cross-section and spaced generally parallel plates connected to the extremities of the tubular portion, and a baffle member disposed between said plates and having an inwardly presented face of substantially the same curvature in transverse cross-section as that of the tubular portion, and extending for nearly the whole length thereof leaving only a short length of the tubular portion unenclosed laterally at the upper end thereof, to provide a clearance for the Shanks of screws to be brought into register with the upper end of the tubular portion from a position offset laterally therefrom in the direction of extension of the plates, the baffle memberv having shoulders adapted to engage the outer edges of the plates and thereby to locate positively locating the baffle member, firstly to angular position between and in a plane parallel to the planev of the wing plates, and secondly as to position in a direction radial to the axis of the tubular portion and in said plane, so that the' inwardly presented face of the baille member is substantially co-incident with the internal face-of the tubular portion, and means for releasably retaining the baffle member in its so located position.

l0. In a screw-driving machine of the kind comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven, a screw delivery nozzle, a rotary screw-driving spindle assembled co-axially therewith and movable axially therein to engage with and drive screws delivered to such nozzle, means for imparting eccentric motion to the hopper about said spindle, means regulating delivery of screws from the hopper to the nozzle, including upper and lower guide members which are coupled together end-to-end affording respective passageways down which the screws can descend, the upper of said guide members being connected to said hopper whereby it partakes of said eccentric motion thereof and the lower of said guide members co-operating at its lower end with means holding said lower end stationary with said nozzle during operation of the machine, so that the guide members are subjected to a collective gyration at their adjacent coupled ends with axes of their respective passageways oblique to each other; the provision of end faces at said adjacent coupled ends of the guide members, said end faces surrounding the mouths of said passageways at said ends, and means urging said end faces into face-to-face contact.

ll. In a screw-driving machine of the kind comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven, a screw delivery nozzle, a rotary screw-driving spindle assembled co-axially therewith and movable axially therein to engage with and drive screws delivered to such nozzle, means for imparting eccentric motion to the hopper about said spindle, means regulating delivery of screws from the hopper to the nozzle, including upper and lower guide members which are coupled together end-to-end affording respective passageways down which the screws can descend, the upper of said guide members being connected to said hopper whereby it partakes of said eccentric motion thereof and the'lower of said guide members co-operating at its lower end with means holding said lower end stationary with said nozzle during operation of the machine, so that the guide members are subjected to `a collective gyration at their adjacent coupled ends with axes of their respestive passageways oblique to each other; the provision of an end face of narrow annular form on the lower of said guide members, an opposed end face on the other of the guide members, and means urging said end faces into face-to-face contact.

12. In a screw-driving machine of the kind comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven, a screw delivery nozzle, a rotary screw-driving spindle assembled co-axially therewith and movable axially therein to engage with and drive screws delivered to such nozzle, means for imparting eccentric motion to the hopper about said spindle, means regulating delivery of screws from the hopper to the nozzle, including upper and lower guide members'which `are coupled together end-to-end affording respective passageways down which the screws can descend, the upper of said guide members being connected to said hopper whereby it partakes of said eccentric motion thereof and the lower of said guide members cio-operating at its lower end with means holding said lower end stationary with said nozzle during operation of the machine, so that the guide members are subjected to a collective gyration at their adjacent coupled ends with axes of their respective passageways oblique to each other; the provision of an end face on the lower of said guide members, said end face including an inner face portion of narrow annular form and an outer face portion of generally frusto-conical form, presenting in combination with said inner face portion, a generally domed end face, and an opposed end face on the other of the guide members in contact with said inner face portion and separated by a relief or clearance space from said outer face portion, and means urging said inner face portion and said opposed end face into said contact with each other.

13. In a screw-driving machine of the kind comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of screws to be driven, a screw delivery nozzle, a rotary screw-driving spindle assembled co-axially therewith and movable axially therein to engage with and drive screws delivered to such nozzle, means for imparting eccentric motion to the hopper about said spindle, means regulating delivery of screws from the hopper to the nozzle, including upper and lower guide members which are coupled together endto-end affording respective passageways down which the screws can descend, the upper of said guide members being connected to said hopper whereby it partakes of said eccentric motion thereof and the lower of said guide members co-operating at its lower end with means holding said lower end stationary with said nozzle during operation of the machine, so that the guide members `are -subjected to a collective gyration at their adjacent coupled ends with axesV of their respective passageways oblique to each other; the provision of a head part on the lower of the guide members, a sleeve secured to the upper guide member, said head part being a close sliding fit in said sleeve, spring means in said sleeve urging said headpart axially towards said upper guide member, a generally domed end face on said head part, an opposed end face on said upper guide member maintained by said spring means in contact with the inner margin of said generally domed end face of said head part, said opposed end face being spaced from the outer margin of said generally domed end face.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,554,732 Doyle May 29, 1951 2,657,721 Shaff NOV. 3, 1953 2,706,504 Moore Apr. 19, 1955 2,770,269 Austin Nov. 13, 1956V 2,803,274, Zubal et al. Aug. 20, 1957 

